The UAW of the 21st century must be fundamentally and radically
different from the UAW of the 20th century.

Globalization has permanently altered the context in which
companies and unions operate. We recognize the intense pressure on
employers from global competition, and the UAW is committed to
flexibility and innovation in order to support the success of our
employers.

The UAW of the 21st century embraces a shared responsibility to
produce the highest quality products. Quality, safety and concern for
the environment are now UAW priorities. We know that the only true path
to job security is to produce the best quality product at the best
price.

The UAW of the 21st century is forging relationships with Chrysler
Group LLC, General Motors Corp. and Ford Motor Co. that embrace
openness, collaboration and creative problem solving. We have built a
foundation of respect, shared goals and a common mission. We have
discarded the rigid demarcation between management and labor.

The UAW of the 20th century had a mindset that it was the
company's responsibility to make profits, and the union's sole
job was to get workers their fair share. They developed an adversarial,
mistrustful relationship with employers, embodied in lengthy and
complicated contracts. Work rules and narrow job classifications
hampered flexibility, hindered the full use of our members'
talents, and promoted a litigious grievance culture.

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The 21st century UAW wants to play a constructive, positive role in
the industry.

The UAW welcomes the foreign-owned auto companies operating in the
United States. They play an important role in preserving, maintaining
and growing our manufacturing base.

We admire many of the policies and practices of these corporations,
but we insist that transnational auto companies respect the right of
their employees to freely decide whether to join the UAW. It is
particularly offensive when foreign-owned companies attack union efforts
in this country while accepting and cooperating with unions in their
home countries.

The right to organize unions is the First Amendment for workers.

The outdated National Labor Relations Act does not protect the
rights of workers. Labor board elections bear no resemblance to true
democracy because of a climate of fear and intimidation. The UAW
believes in the principle of fair, secret ballot elections in which
workers freely decide whether to join the union. We have developed
Principles for Fair Union Elections. We are calling on all corporations
to respect their employees' rights to organize, not only in the
United States, but also across the globe.

The 20th century UAW helped build the U.S. middle class.

The 21st century UAW will help build a global middle class.

The UAW advocates a high road of common interests and shared
success with employers. However, it is our mission to fight for
democratic values and social justice--most importantly, the right to
organize.

The UAW has embraced radical change. We call upon corporations to
respect worker rights and to join us in a global vision of a common
humanity that lifts all workers out of poverty.

Bob King is president of the UAW.

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